Cliff plunge victim thrown from car

Photo / pinewoods.co.nz

Campers at a coastal campground north of Auckland are in shock today after a teenager died in a dramatic accident.

The 19-year-old passenger was thrown out of a car as it plunged 25 metres down a cliff at the Pinewoods Motor Park in Red Beach shortly before 1am today.

The driver was taken to hospital but was not badly hurt.

Had the teenage victim been wearing a seat belt he probably would have survived, police told NZPA.

The car left a road in the campground after failing to take a bend. It ploughed through a fence before dropping onto rocks on the beach below.

Campground board member Mary White said the tragedy had rocked campers and the Red Beach area where the victim and his family had been holidaying for many years.

"It is terrible, terrible. It is someone we all know very well that has been in the park for many, many, many years.

"I have known the young man who was driving since he was a baby and his life has changed forever now."

Police said the car failed to take a bend on a road inside the campground where the speed limit was 10km/h.

"It has continued straight ahead, through a barbed wire fence, across a two-metre verge, before plummeting 25 metres down a sheer cliff face, crashing onto the rocks on Red Beach below," said Senior Constable Karl Bevin from the Waitemata Serious Crash Unit.

He said the victim was unrestrained and had he worn a seat belt he probably would not have been thrown out and probably would have survived.

"The driver received minor injuries and was able to return to the campsite before being spoken to by emergency services."

It was too soon to say if alcohol or drugs were involved but blood had been taken from the driver for testing.

Mr Bevin believed driver error was a contributing factor but police still have to interview witnesses.

The car was destroyed and a crane was needed to bring it up the cliff face.

The name of the victim would probably be released tomorrow, said Mr Bevin.

- NZPA